PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury (including migraine headaches) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been reopened. The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, bowel impairment, pelvic inflammatory disease, and bilateral knee disabilities, are being evaluated for their impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living and require assistance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disturbances, diabetes mellitus type II, headache disability, sleep disability (claimed as sleep disturbances), peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities, anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions or they were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2009 and has not warranted a higher rating since then.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD. The sleep apnea issue requires further development as the VA opinion obtained in October 2015 was inadequate.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed due to the lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay contentions and medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it was caused by an in-service traumatic event, and the evidence supports this finding.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension, which is claimed as secondary to PTSD, needs further evaluation and may be aggravated by PTSD. The case will be sent back for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, depressed mood, intrusive memories, emotional detachment, irritability, isolation, hypervigilance, increased startle response, and lack of motivation.

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is being remanded due to his testimony of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination in May 2014. He needs to provide records and a VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the existence and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors events during his eligible period of service from August 1982 to June 2, 1986 need to be evaluated for their impact on his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective November 30, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, and chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to PTSD. The claim for gastric disorder (IBS and GERD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and PTSD. The right knee disability was remanded due to the Court's decision on the presumption of soundness standard. The left knee disability secondary to a right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from August 14, 2006, to February 23, 2008. The symptoms included insomnia, avoidance of others, anger, and mood swings.

The Veteran's estate is denied payment of withheld benefits due and payable to the Veteran because they do not fall within the eligible categories for accrued benefits under VA laws and regulations.

The Veteran's malaria was deemed inactive and resolved without any residuals, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s service-connected conditions to his cause of death.